It is important to understand that there are actions you can take to ensure that

your interactions with law enforcement remain within legal bounds and do not
escalate. Being knowledgeable about your rights and the procedures used by
law enforcement can greatly enhance the likelihood of a peaceful outcome.

THE 10 RULES TO REMEMBER WHEN DEALING

WITH THE POLICE:
1. REMEMBERING YOUR RIGHTS: It is important to be aware of your constitutional
rights, such as the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to not
consent to a search without a warrant. Knowing your rights and understanding how to
exercise them can help protect you during interactions with the police.

2. STAYING CALM: Keeping a calm demeanor during interactions with the police can
help to avoid escalating a situation and potentially dangerous confrontation.

3. NOT CONSENTING TO A SEARCH: Unless the police have a warrant or there are
exigent circumstances, you have the right to not consent to a search of your person,
property, or belongings.

4. ASKING FOR A WARRANT: If the police request to search your property, it is

important to ask if they have a warrant. If they do not have a warrant, you have the
right to not consent to the search.

5. REFRAINING FROM CONFESSING: It is important to remain silent and not confess to

any allegations made against you. Anything you say can and will be used against you
in a court of law.

6. AVOIDING PHYSICAL CONTACT: It is important to avoid physically touching or

putting the officer in fear. Physical confrontations can escalate the situation and put
you in danger.

7. REMAINING SILENT: You have the right to remain silent and not incriminate
yourself. Exercising this right can protect you during interactions with the police.

8. ASKING IF YOU ARE FREE TO GO: If you are being detained, it is important to ask if
you are free to go. If you are not being arrested, the police should allow you to leave.

9. REQUESTING AN ATTORNEY: If you are being arrested, you have the right to an
attorney. It is important to exercise this right and request an attorney to represent you.

10. FILING A COMPLAINT: If you believe your rights were violated during an interaction
with the police, it is important to file a complaint. This can help hold the police
accountable and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
When it comes to traffic stops, there are some key points to remember.

First, it’s important to have all of your relevant documents, such as your vehicle
registration and insurance information, easily accessible. Keeping these documents in
a place like the driver’s side sun-visor can make the process of presenting them to an
officer much smoother.

Second, it’s important to maintain a calm demeanor during the traffic stop. Engaging
in an argument or dispute with the officer on the side of the road can escalate the
situation and result in further complications. If you feel that your rights have been
violated, it’s best to document the encounter and seek legal recourse at a later time.

Third, it’s important to understand your Fourth Amendment rights, which protect you
from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that an officer cannot extend
the duration of a traffic stop beyond what is necessary to write a citation or issue a
warning.

Lastly, you are under no legal obligation to take a field sobriety test when asked by a
police officer. It is important to note that these tests are not pass or fail and are only
used to gather evidence against you in a court of law. By declining the test, you may
protect yourself from providing additional evidence that could be used against you.

TRICK QUESTIONS POLICE ASK DURING A TRAFFIC

STOP
The Importance of Understanding Traffic Stop Questions

1. “DO YOU KNOW WHY I PULLED YOU OVER?”

This question may appear benign, with an officer of the law seeking an understanding
of the infraction committed. However, it is a common tactic to catch drivers off guard
and obtain information before they have time to assert their rights under the Fifth
Amendment. Any response to this question may be used as evidence against the
individual in court. For instance, if a person were to state “because I ran a red light”,
this becomes a recorded admission that can be detrimental to the defendant’s case.

2. “WHERE ARE YOU COMING FROM?”

This question may seem harmless, but it is an integral part of an officer’s investigative
process. The purpose of this question is to gather information about a person’s
location and activities prior to the stop. If an officer suspects that an individual is
under the influence, responses such as “coming from brunch”, “a bar”, or “a club” can
raise suspicions and negatively impact the outcome of the traffic stop.

3. “CAN I SEARCH YOUR VEHICLE?”

There is a common misconception that police officers have the authority to search
vehicles during a traffic stop, but this is only partially true. The officer must have
probable cause before conducting a search during a traffic stop.
It is important to understand the limitations of the police’s authority to search you
or your property. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects
individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, including
law enforcement. In order for a search to be considered reasonable, it must be
conducted with a warrant or under one of the seven exceptions.

One of these exceptions is consent, meaning the individual being searched has
voluntarily agreed to the search. Another exception is the plain view doctrine, which
allows officers to seize evidence or contraband that is in plain view and is immediately
apparent as being incriminating.

Another exception is the incident to arrest, which allows officers to search a person
and the area immediately surrounding them at the time of an arrest, in order to
protect themselves or to find evidence related to the arrest. There are a few more
exceptions, including searches based on probable cause, and exigent circumstances.

It is crucial to understand these circumstances as they may impact your rights and the
legal outcome of any encounter with law enforcement. If you are ever unsure about
whether a search is legal, it is always advisable to assert your right to remain silent and
to ask for an attorney.

When stopped by police advise the officer that you do not answer questions and
always keep a positive attitude.

When encountering the police, it is recommended to politely inform the officer that
you do not wish to answer questions, and to request their name and badge number,
the reason for the encounter, and clarification of whether you are being detained or
are free to go. Remember, while you are not legally obligated to answer questions
posed by the police, they are obligated to answer questions you may have.

Additionally, it is important to familiarize oneself with relevant case laws and Supreme
Court rulings, as they serve to protect individual rights. One example of relevant case
is Florida v. Jardines, where the Supreme Court held that police cannot use a drug
detection dog on the front porch of a home without a warrant, as this constitutes a
search. To deepen your knowledge of your rights, we suggest you download our free
resources, such as our app Cancel Tyranny which is available by visiting the Apple
Store or Google Play Store, or our website wethepeopleuniversity.com.

In the event of an arrest, it is advisable to first contact an attorney before making

any decisions about posting bail. An attorney may be able to assist in reducing
or eliminating bail and will be able to provide guidance on navigating the legal
process. To ensure the best outcome in such situations, it is crucial to have a basic
understanding of one’s rights and the law.
THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
This is a fundamental aspect of an individual’s rights in the United States. This
means that an individual is not required by law to answer questions posed by law
enforcement officers. This can include questions regarding one’s whereabouts or
destination. It is important to note that while an individual has the right to remain
silent, they should also be respectful and cooperative with law enforcement officers in
order to avoid further legal complications.

CASE LAW
Case Law is a set of legal precedents and rulings made by higher courts, such as
the Supreme Court, that provide guidance on individual rights and protections. It
is important for individuals to familiarize themselves with these case laws to better
understand their rights and the limitations of law enforcement. For example, the
case of Florida v. Jardines ruled that the use of a drug detection dog on the front
porch of someone’s home without a warrant constitutes a search and is therefore
unconstitutional.

YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED

If an individual is arrested, it is crucial to first seek the advice of an attorney before
taking any actions. Most people may be tempted to post bail immediately after arrest;
however, it is not always the best course of action. An experienced attorney may be
able to help reduce or even eliminate bail requirements. It is also important to be
informed about one’s rights and responsibilities in this situation, and to understand
what actions should be taken.

It is vital to have a basic understanding of one’s rights and the limitations of law
enforcement to avoid having one’s rights violated. Unfortunately, many individuals
have their rights violated due to a lack of knowledge about the law. This is why it is
highly recommended to download an app, such as the one offered by, We The People
University, that provides information on these topics and is constantly updated with
new information. By doing so, individuals can better protect themselves and ensure
that their rights are not violated.

To continually update your knowledge, consider downloading our app Cancel Tyranny
which is available by visiting the Apple Store or Google Play Store, or our website
wethepeopleuniversity.com.